In developing our priorities for 2025-26, we have considered our objectives and the emerging critical areas to support a successful transition of the sector. We have also considered the challenges and opportunities identified in our work on an AEMC narrative as part of work on our strategic refresh.

The eight challenges and opportunities identified in our narrative will be a contextual guide for our priorities over the longer term.

We will continue to set annual rule change and review priorities to guide our work program in the short term (12 months).

Our 2025-26 priorities are outlined below. 

Please note, these priority areas are not exclusive.  The AEMC will continue to consider prioritisation of rule changes when requested by Energy Ministers, if critical to the functioning of the energy system or if there is a threat to vulnerable consumers.

Consumers and CER: Delivering improved consumer outcomes and enabling better CER integration. 

This priority's intent is to progress work relating to the efficient integration of new technologies into the system and market, to support improved consumer choice and outcomes. 

Gas transition: Clarifying the future roles of gas in the net zero transition. 

This priority's intent is to progress work relating to the coordinated and transparent role of gas as the energy system transitions. 

Future markets design: Getting markets design right for secure and reliable changing energy systems. 

This priority's intent is to progress work relating to the settings, services and signals that will support the future net zero system. 

Network regulation: Updating network regulation to support improved consumer outcomes.  

This priority's intent is to progress work relating to the cost-effective and efficient delivery of the network infrastructure and services required for the future net zero system.

Our work plan for 2025-26

Consistent with our approach last year, we have published a high-level work plan to support our stakeholders in coordinating their participation in and contribution to rule change and review projects throughout the year.

2025-26 AEMC high-level work program – July to December

Given the evolving nature of our work and the pace and scale of the transformation of the sector, we periodically review our work program to make sure we focus our resources and expertise most appropriately. Our mid-year review will occur in November, with an updated version of the work program for January-June 2026 to be published by the end of 2025. 

Please note, this work plan is indicative only and subject to change. Any updates to the work plan and timing of projects will be communicated via the AEMCs newsletter. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.